Some economic analysts are heading into the new year declaring that the worst may soon be over. For this rosy picture to play out, they are counting on the Obama administration and Congress to come through with a substantial stimulus package of at least $675 billion over two years. Click here for The New York…more

The captain of a South Korean-flagged ship has been sentenced by the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Wash., for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Hae Wan Yang, 54, was sentenced to two months of home confinement in the United States and two years of supervised release for knowingly failing to maintain an…more

Beginning next month, search-and-rescue satellites will no longer process the 121.5/243 MHz signal transmitted by older analog EPIRBs. The Coast Guard is reminding mariners to replace these EPIRBs with the newer 406 MHz beacons by Feb. 1. The 406 MHz signal is 50 times more powerful than the 121.5, allowing better detection and providing a…more

While much of the industry is reporting a drop in sales, fractional boat ownership appears to be on the rise, according the SailTime Group LLC, of Annapolis. SailTime has seen steady increases in membership and boats being brought into the program as boating enthusiasts seek innovative and affordable ways to keep their boating dreams alive…more

ProBoat E-Training will hold a weeklong online open house to allow marine professionals a sample of the courses currently available. Scheduled for Jan. 12-16, the open house will feature course outlines, instructor bios and excerpts from the following ongoing courses:  New Tools for Trainers Rhino for Marine Designers Propeller Selection for Boats and Small…more

Lagoon America, of Annapolis, appointed a new dealership in Texas. Sea Lake Yacht Sales will promote Lagoon catamarans in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Jamie Babcock, a member of the Gulf Coast Yacht Broker’s Association, has joined the Sea Lake Yachts team as one of the salesmen in charge of the Lagoon brand. Lagoon will be…more

Despite the infusion of cash from the federal government into credit markets during the last few months, many banks are still leery of lending money. The financial crisis started in the credit markets, and thats where it will end. But as 2008 comes to a close, bankers and policy makers are struggling to see the…more

Starting in 2010, states will be allowed to develop saltwater fishing registries that may lead to requirements for saltwater licenses by 2011. Of the 23 coastal states, only the seven from Maine to New Jersey, plus Hawaii, do not require licenses for saltwater recreational fishing, and previous attempts to charge anglers in Rhode Island, Maine,…more

The International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, R.I., will host a session on career opportunities in the marine industry next week. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at the auditorium of the Community College of Rhode Islands Newport campus. The program is for those who have no experience in…more